November, 2006

ANNUAL NORDIC LIBRARY WEEK

From November 13-19 the common Nordic Library week is being organised in the Nordic and Baltic countries. The Nordic Library weeks have taken place in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia since 1998, but the Nordic countries celebrate its 10 year anniversary this year.

Each year a fragment of a certain literary work of a Nordic author is chosen and read in schools, libraries and other cultural institutions in various parts of the Nordic countries. This year's theme is "Murder in the North" with the focus on contemporary detectives and exciting stories. The featured authors are all multiple prize- winners of international repute: detective writer Arnaldur Indriðason (Iceland), children's author Gunilla Bergström (Sweden) and Ole Lund Kirkegaard (Denmark).

The annual poster has been designed by the Swedish graphic artist Karin Mårtensson/Emmylou.

The great attendance of the events shows a growing interest, gathering more and more participants each year. Last year’s Nordic Library Week was dedicated to the outstanding Swedish Writer Selma Lagerlöf’s popular book “The Wonderful Adventures of Nils Holgersson” A chapter “Two Towns” of this book was read in many places at the same time following the trip across the Nordic Countries…

ANNUAL NORDIC COUNCIL'S SESSION

The Nordic Council is meeting for its annual Session from October 29 until November 2 in Copenhagen this year. The Session of the Nordic Council is held once a year and it is the biggest event in the Nordic co-operation calendar.

New president of the Nordic Council, as well as members of the Council’s Presidium and committees is elected during the Session. The next presiding country in the Nordic Council of Ministers is Finland in 2007 taking over from Norway. Finland has prepared a program “Norden with opportunities – close to you”. A special focus has been laid on the closer Nordic – Baltic co-operation during next year.
A hundred parliamentarians from the five Nordic countries and three autonomous territories participate in the Session. A large number of guests from the Baltic countries, Russia, Poland, and Germany etc. have also been invited to attend.

As a tradition also this year's prizes of the Nordic Council will be awarded during a stylish ceremony to be held one evening during the Session.

NORDIC COUNCIL FILM PRIZE 2006 TO SWEDISH "ZOZO"

The winner of the Nordic Council Film Prize 2006 is the Swedish film “Zozo”. The prize of 350,000 DKK (approx. LVL 33 000) will be shared between Josef Fares, Director and Scriptwriter, and Anna Anthony, Producer. The prize will be awarded at a ceremony during the Nordic Council’s annual Session in Copenhagen on Wednesday 1 October.

Josef Fares (1977) moved to Sweden as a 10-year old boy in 1987. Being the author of many short video productions at the age of 21, he became the youngest student ever to be admitted into the Film Directors’ program of the Drama Institute, Sweden. Josef Fares is known for hilarious comedies like “Jalla Jalla!” and “Kopps”. All films by Josef Fares have been screened in Latvia – within the International Cinema Forum “Arsenals” and the Nordic Film Days.

The Library of the Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Latvia, Marijas 13/3, Berga Bazars, Riga welcomes everyone and offers possibility to watch all movies by Josef Fares – “Jalla Jalla!” (2000), “Kopps” (2003) and “Zozo” (2005) at any time. More information: Ieva Hermansone, ieva@norden.lv, 7820088.

NEW GRANT PROGRAMS FOR NGOs IN THE BALTIC SEA REGION

The Nordic Council of Ministers launched a new funding programme for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the Baltic Sea Region. The purpose of the programme is to provide a boost to civic society and stimulate active co-operation in the region.

The NGO Programme for the Baltic Sea Region is based on tripartite co-operation with at least one partner from the Nordic countries, one partner from the Baltic countries or Poland, and at least one partner from North-West Russia or Belarus. This programme reiterates the view that the Nordic governments hold of NGOs and the key role they play in promoting democracy. The Nordic Council of Ministers is entitled to take the initiative to launch new partnerships under the programme.

An annual budget of approximately DKK 5 million (ca 0,67 million Euro) has been earmarked for the programme. Grants of up to DKK 500,000 (67,000 Euro) may be paid out. The deadline for applications is November 01, 2006. A new deadline will be announced in early 2007.